Mary Henry (Independent)

When one seeks a report, there is implied consent. However, we have been warned by the Medical Protection Society and the Medical Defence Union to get informed consent from the patient. In other words, it must be explained in one syllable. The report Managing and Protecting the Privacy of Personal Health Information in Irish General Practice states:

..it is appropriate that the medical practitioner (or some other clinical member of the practice) should be present to clarify any aspects and to permit any concerns of the patient to be discussed and resolved.

One is not just supposed to give over the report. These people may have sought legal advice but they may not be sure the report they are now giving can go on and on, and that it is totally in the public domain once they have given over the report. This is why one must get informed consent.